CITY PARKS AND GARDENS

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23810, 2 December 1942, Page 2

CITY PARKS AND GARDENS

POSITION OF DOMAINS BOARD INCREASE IN RATING SOUGHT The Christchurch Domains Board at present is asking its eight constituent local bodies to sanction the raising of its rating authority from £SOOO to £7500 in order to maintain its parks and gardens. Detailed reasons for the board's request were given to a meeting of local body representatives on Monday, when the board's present financial position was fully explained, and the representatives were asked to place the information before their councils. The board’s chairman (Captain H. Kitson) said the board felt it was its duty to put the position before the local bodies when the question of upkeep became serious, as they were really the trustees of the land that had been left to the people of Canterbury lor their enjoyment and pleasure for ever. “We have got to realise that we cannot carry on anything without sufficient funds,” said Captain Kitson. "It would bo a very serious thing if the parks and gardens deteriorated to such an extent that they became like the Canterbury Museum—from the pride of Canterbury to the disgrace of Canterbury.” Asset to Canterbury The chairman of the finance committee (Mr M, E. Lyons) said that the parks and gardens were an asset of which everyone in Canterbury was highly proud. He had found that one thing the ratepayer did not mind paying for was something towards the beautification of the city, and the development of its parks and gardens. As far as the board's immediate needs were concerned, there was a very urgent necessity for more conveniences in the gardens and parks. The park fences called for attention, more seating accommodation was urgently required, and two bridges had to be attended to. “To-day we are in rather a desperate position,” said Mr Lyons. "The unemployed labour left us a number of definite assets, and the question is whether they should be maintained or whether we should allow the gardens to go back so that they will not be the very definite asset they are to the Canterbury Province at the present time.” A memorandum from the finance committee which Mr Lyons placed before the meeting stated that the board did not propose, if legislative sanction was given to the proposal, to rate immediately for the full amount, but desired to be prepared for necessary post-war expansion. The increase given by the legislature in 1938 was largely neutralised by the wage increases granted since then and the general increase in materials. At the time, the board’s position was unsatisfactory financially, a substantial overdraft of £1164 at the bank being carried. Notwithstanding the increase of £ISOO in rate revenue in 1938, it was not possible to increase the number of permanent hands, and the most urgent need the board had was an increase of qualified gardeners. At least three men in this category were required, and at least one man should be permanently employed in the two parks on tree and other maintenance. The board was in receipt of £4OO per annum from grazing, but there was a strong and growing public opinion that the sports grounds should not be grazed by sheep. At the present time, a staff of 10 and four trainees was endeavouring to keep in order the Botanic Gardens, includ 1 - ing the glasshouses, and both the north and south Hagley parks, a total of 460 acres. The memorandum slated that the levy on local bodies before 1938 was £3500 per annum, and since 1938 £SOOO per annum. Assuming that the board rated for the full amount suggested, the increases would be as follows;

Scales. Present New £ £ Ch.Ch. City Council 3617 5426 Waimairi County Council 535 8 ; Heathcote County Council 219 329 Riccarton Borough Council 202 302 Paparua County Council .. 128 192 Halswell County Council 62 93 Sumner Borough Council 120 180 Lyttelton Borough Council 117 175